DNR To Build New Shooting Range

After years of deliberation and studies, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has settled on the location and design features for a new shooting range near Traverse City. The new, roughly 10-acre Grand Traverse Shooting Range will be built on state-managed land southeast of Traverse City in Union Township at the three-way intersection of Jack Pine, Supply and Fife Lake Roads. It will take the place of the Hoosier Valley Range as the DNR's regional site.

The decision follows a series of public meetings and studies of the potential environmental, wildlife and neighborhood impact of several possible sites in region. The other sites under consideration were in White Water Township and Fife Lake Township.

The Hoosier Valley Range has operated since the 1960s. Initially there were few neighbors, but urbanization caught up with the site; some 100 homes are now nearby. Residents began complaining several years ago about perceived noise and safety issues.

DNR officials will meet this week to finalize the new design, which is expected to include separate 100- and 50-yard rifle ranges as well as a 25-yard pistol range. Each range will have four firing stations. There are no accommodations planned for skeet or trap shooting.

A 10-foot earthen berm will enclose the sides and back of the entire shooting area. The current design also calls for extensive site grading for proper drainage, numerous plantings, sound mitigating measures, a gravel entrance, parking space for 20-25 cars, sidewalks for retrieving targets and two concrete handicap parking spaces. Other features include toilets, benches, trash receptacles and signage.

Rough estimates for the design and construction costs are $850,000. That money, explains Lori Burford, DNR shooting range specialist, comes from a federal tax levied on manufacturers of firearms and ammunition. It could be December of this year before construction is completed.

“This has been years in coming,” Burford says. “We’re excited about getting to the point that we have a final product.”

She adds that finding a new location for a northern Michigan shooting range has been a high priority for the DNR. Michigan’s nearly three quarters of a million licensed hunters are among the tops in the nation, but the majority of the ranges are located in the southern part of the state.

All range users must wear eye and ear protection, register at the site and use a firearm not to exceed .80 caliber. Once completed, the range is expected to be open May through September 10am-7pm and October through April 10am to 5pm.

No decision has been made about what to do with the Hoosier Valley Range.